B Courageous

(This post is a part of my “B” series which I’ll deliver once a month! Continue to B Kind. B Silly. B Inspired. B Imperfect.)

I put on a really good front, but only almost two and a half months in, this year has already been a scary one. I’ve committed to making 2018 great and truly working to execute the vision I have for myself this year. And that has required taking some risks with new writing opportunities, learning new skills, and stretching myself beyond what I thought I could…and I’m high key terrified.

I hear inspirational speakers and others tell people that they have to be fearless and go after what they want, but I honestly don’t feel that most of us will ever be 100% “fearless.” It’s completely natural to be afraid of the unknown. It’s natural to be afraid of loss or rejection. It’s natural to want to stay inside of your comfort zone and not go after new things. We want to be safe and not face rejection or failure.

It’s challenging to go after new jobs or projects, So instead of telling y’all to be fearless and just push through, I’m encouraging you all to “b” COURAGEOUS. Courage isn’t necessarily the absence of fear. It’s being completely terrified…and attempting to push through and move forward anyway!

I’ve had to face my fears of pitching and meeting with people face to face to discuss my ideas. I’ve had to network more and more, which automatically makes me anxious. I’m continually working on expanding my writing portfolio, and it’s downright nervewracking trying new things and working with new people. And there’s no guarantee that everything is going to work out. But no risk, no reward.

But how do you do that? How do you stand tall and push through your fears? It’s one thing to even tell people to be courageous, but how can you really do that? Here’s what helps me.

1) Prayer/Meditation/Reflection

As I continue to grow in my faith in God, taking time to pray and self-reflect on my life has been really helpful. Not only am I less anxious, but I become more clear on what I need to do and how I need to go about it. It gives me the strength I need to push past my fears of the unknown.

2) Remember Your Why

In a powerful video, motivational speaker Eric Thomas asked members the Miami Dolphins, “What’s your why?” What was the reason outside of themselves and their selfish desires that they were putting in so much work? That “why” pushes you outside of your desires and even your fears, because you have something greater than you to focus on.

So what’s your why? It could be your kids or other people in your family. It could be that you want to help other people through your gift. When you consider your why, you can break through your fears so that you’re able to serve them.

3) Think Of What You’ll Miss Out On If You Don’t

FOMO is real for me. My fear of missing out on what I COULD do or achieve is greater than my fear of what I’m facing right at this moment. My fear of getting stuck in a place that’s not where I’m meant to be is greater than my fear of pressing forward.

What will you miss out on if you don’t push past your fear?

4) Commit To Taking One Step At A Time

I truly think that so many people feel like they have to have every little thing figured out about their brand, blog, business, or whatever other idea or goal. That itself can make people nervous and anxious and ready to shut down completely. Identify small but clear tasks that you can commit to working on each day towards your goals. Don’t get so caught up in the big picture of how far you have to go. Just take things one step at a time!

5) Come to Grips With Inevitable Failure

Another thing that keeps people paralyzed with fear is the fact that they have a limited view of failure. People struggle to come to terms that failure is inevitable, and believe that, once you’ve failed, that’s it. Failure will happen and it’s perfectly okay!

I used to fear failure so much, I wouldn’t go after new opportunities or build my ideas. But failure is a part of life. There’s no escaping it. And, if I’m honest, it’s my failures that have taught me perseverance and forced me to get better! Now, I’d rather fail over and over again, than to never try.

What fear are you committed to push through today? Let me know in the comments!